Friendly Report: Republic of Ireland 0 – 2 Cymru

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

It is a result that the FAI may want to redact but the record books will show Ireland suffered their first defeat under manager Eileen Gleeson.

The 2-0 victory for Cymru was a win well deserved by a Welsh side that was managed by interim boss Jon Grey.

In the previous seven matches under Gleeson, Ireland had conceded just two goals. That tally was doubled in Tallaght on Tuesday night inside only 22 minutes as the Girls in Green showed too much openness to their visitors from across the Irish Sea.

Ireland’s defensively frailties weren’t helped by the very late withdrawal of Niamh Fahey who picked up a quad strain in the warm-up. Diane Caldwell got the late call cup to come into the starting XI in front of a record crowd of 8,218 for a women’s international in the Dublin 24 venue.

Cymru, who named Rhian Wilkinson as their new boss on the eve of the match, left interim boss Grey in charge of affairs. Wilkinson, watching on from the stands, will have been very pleased with her new team’s start as they tore into the home team in Tallaght.

A seventh minute corner provided Wales with their first goal. Ireland didn’t do enough to get the ball clear and when Hayley Ladd drilled a low ball across the six yard box Jessica Fishlock was on hand to rifle it home.

Mid-way through the half they doubled their lead as the ball was allowed to travel all the way towards the back post for Lily Woodham to drill a left foot effort by the despairing right hand of Courtney Brosnan – she was far the busier goalkeeper in the first half.

Gleeson had gone with a flat back four – as she had done in last Friday’s scoreless draw with Italy in Florence – with Katie McCabe deployed at left back. She seemed to be frustrated at times with Leanne Kiernan who was playing in front of her. On the opposite flank Jess Ziu was the outstanding player for Ireland and was a constant tormentor to the visitors defence.

The closest Ireland game to a goal came from a Megan Connolly corner. Caitlin Hayes’ header was goalbound only to hit a player in green and the shot from Amber Barrett – who cut a lonely figure up front on her own in the first – was well blocked by the Welsh defence.

Two down at the break Gleeson made three changes at the start of second half bringing off Caldwell (who picked up a knock late in the first 45 minutes) for Louise Quinn. Kiernan and Barrett were also withdrawn as Gleeson switched to a more familiar 3-4-1-2 formation with Kyra Carusa and Emily Murphy (who was lively on her international debut) coming on.

Wales went with their triple sub just after the hour mark as Ireland began to get on top.

McCabe, on her 55^th appearance as captain, was called aside after receiving treatment in the 73^rd minute with Izzy Atkinson coming on but Ireland couldn’t find a break through in the final part of the game. A late Hayes header was as close as they came.

The draw for EURO 2025 qualification that takes place in Nyon next week and will see Ireland be placed in a group with teams from League A of the Nations League – the division that Wales were relegated out of and that shows the challenge that faces Gleeson if they are to make back-to-back major championships.

After a very positive result against Italy last week, Ireland will hope that this display and result is only a footnote in the Gleeson era.

Republic of Ireland W: Courtney Brosnan; Heather Payne, Caitlin Hayes, Diane Caldwell (Louise Quinn 46), Katie McCabe © ((Izzy Atkinson 73); Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn; Jessie Stapleton (Lily Agg 88), Jessica Ziu, Leanne Kiernan (Emily Murphy 46); Amber Barrett (Kyra Carusa 46).
Subs not used: Sophie Whitehouse, Grace Moloney, Megan Campbell, Niamh Fahey, Aoife Mannion, Lucy Quinn, Abbie Larkin.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.

Wales W: Olivia Clark; Josie Green, Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd, Lily Woodham (Charlie Estcourt 63); Rhiannon Roberts (Ceri Holland 64), Angharad James (Ella Powell 63), Sophie Ingle, Jessica Fishlock (Lois Joel 81); Rachel Rowe (Carrie Jones 72); Elise Hughes (Kayleigh Barton 82).
Subs not used: Safia Middleton-Patel, Laura O'Sullivan, Ffion Morgan, Lois Joel, Kayleigh Barton, Mary McAteer, Tegan McGowan, Mayzee Davies, Olivia Francis, Alice Griffiths.
Booked: Hayley Ladd (49), Angharad James (57), Elise Hughes (80).

Referee: Frida Mia Klarlund (Denmark)
Attendance: 8,218
extratime.com Player of the Match: Jess Ziu (Republic of Ireland)